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Kids vs. Nature #1
Surviving Moose Lake
Getting placed in a lousy group for a class assignment is bad enough, but it’s a thousand times worse when you get stranded in the wilderness with that group. Will Josh and three of his sixth-grade classmates have the skills they need to survive the wilderness? Will they all make it home alive?
Surviving Moose Lake is the first book of the Kids vs. Nature series. It provides an entertaining mixture of danger, adventure, factual information, and life lessons that are best learned in the great outdoors—far away from adults and school classrooms.
Surviving Moose Lake is the first book of the Kids vs. Nature series. It provides an entertaining mixture of danger, adventure, factual information, and life lessons that are best learned in the great outdoors—far away from adults and school classrooms.
82 pages, Paperback
Published May 26, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 2, 2018
I let my son read this book to his brothers and the first thought that came to their minds was Jumanji! Only, instead of a video game appearing on an old tv screen, this story has a magical wilderness app on a phone that took four unsuspecting kids to an outside adventure. Josh, Tyler, Melisa and Katie we're magically teleported to the forest and had to do something to survive Moose Lake.
This was an interesting read. My boys collectively asked me to (jokingly) download the particular app mentioned in the book so they could join in the fun too with Josh and company. My littlest one was a little serious though. When I asked him about the characters in the story, he said he liked Melisa because even of she was a know-it-all, she seemed like a good girl. Both my two older sons liked Tyler because he was funny and and seemed like a caring friend.
My kids loved that the book also featured about wildlife and nature. Reading a fun story while learning is a big plus to them.
Now they can't wait to read the next book adventure that awaits the new four friends.
This was an interesting read. My boys collectively asked me to (jokingly) download the particular app mentioned in the book so they could join in the fun too with Josh and company. My littlest one was a little serious though. When I asked him about the characters in the story, he said he liked Melisa because even of she was a know-it-all, she seemed like a good girl. Both my two older sons liked Tyler because he was funny and and seemed like a caring friend.
My kids loved that the book also featured about wildlife and nature. Reading a fun story while learning is a big plus to them.
Now they can't wait to read the next book adventure that awaits the new four friends.
October 1, 2018
I was contacted by the author, who provided a review copy. I do not accept all review requests, but this one piqued my interest; sixth grade students are pulled out of the classroom and into nature. I am a retired sixth grade teacher who loves being outside and recognizes the importance of kids' outdoor play and exploration.
Review:
Surviving Moose Lake is narrated by sixth-grade Josh. He and three classmates have the task of identifying various leaves during a science lab. When one of them downloads a free phone app in order to cheat on the task, the app magically transports them out of the classroom and into the forest. They are tasked with finding and "shooting" a moose before the app will return them to the classroom. After a rough start, the children learn to work together, observe their surroundings, and take a shot of a moose they find with the camera feature in the app. They are returned to the same moment they left the classroom, and the book ends with a setup for the subsequent installment in the series.
This middle-grade novel has short chapters and several pictures, making for a comfortable reading experience for those adjusting to chapter books. The premise reminded me somewhat of Hero.com, but this is more believable and uses current technology, so will likely have high appeal; the use of conversational tone make for easy reading while presenting some information about moose. Further factual information is included in the back. I mention that I found this believable - I could easily imagine some of my former students confronting the difficulties as the characters did, overcoming preconceived notions, thinking critically and creatively about their problems, and working as a team to achieve a goal.
This is a fun adventure, though there were two aspects that I wasn't keen on: an overweight student is bullied and called "the Blob" as bystanders watch, and the term "spaz" is used derogatorily. Both instances are authentic to grade school, and perhaps I am being overly sensitive, but I would have liked to see a defense of the bullied child, and I am not keen on normalizing epithets derived from medical conditions. On the other hand, this would be a good starting point for a very positive conversation about bullying and respect for physical differences. Despite my discomfort with those two small items, I enjoyed reading the book; it's fun and funny, and the adventure is exciting while remaining believable (if an app could actually transport you, that is!).
Review:
Surviving Moose Lake is narrated by sixth-grade Josh. He and three classmates have the task of identifying various leaves during a science lab. When one of them downloads a free phone app in order to cheat on the task, the app magically transports them out of the classroom and into the forest. They are tasked with finding and "shooting" a moose before the app will return them to the classroom. After a rough start, the children learn to work together, observe their surroundings, and take a shot of a moose they find with the camera feature in the app. They are returned to the same moment they left the classroom, and the book ends with a setup for the subsequent installment in the series.
This middle-grade novel has short chapters and several pictures, making for a comfortable reading experience for those adjusting to chapter books. The premise reminded me somewhat of Hero.com, but this is more believable and uses current technology, so will likely have high appeal; the use of conversational tone make for easy reading while presenting some information about moose. Further factual information is included in the back. I mention that I found this believable - I could easily imagine some of my former students confronting the difficulties as the characters did, overcoming preconceived notions, thinking critically and creatively about their problems, and working as a team to achieve a goal.
This is a fun adventure, though there were two aspects that I wasn't keen on: an overweight student is bullied and called "the Blob" as bystanders watch, and the term "spaz" is used derogatorily. Both instances are authentic to grade school, and perhaps I am being overly sensitive, but I would have liked to see a defense of the bullied child, and I am not keen on normalizing epithets derived from medical conditions. On the other hand, this would be a good starting point for a very positive conversation about bullying and respect for physical differences. Despite my discomfort with those two small items, I enjoyed reading the book; it's fun and funny, and the adventure is exciting while remaining believable (if an app could actually transport you, that is!).
June 20, 2018
Very imaginative and quite the adventure!
Author Karl Steam writes in a wonderful style that guarantees the attention of young minds. If you ever wanted to bond even more with your children or grandchildren, this would be a lovely read to share with them. I read it with my grand kids and they loved it.
It seems to me that this book has been created with a lot of love and joy and it’s apparent that the author really enjoys creating such wonderful stories. We’ll be looking forward to seeing what’s coming next. Five stars from us. Well done Karl!
Author Karl Steam writes in a wonderful style that guarantees the attention of young minds. If you ever wanted to bond even more with your children or grandchildren, this would be a lovely read to share with them. I read it with my grand kids and they loved it.
It seems to me that this book has been created with a lot of love and joy and it’s apparent that the author really enjoys creating such wonderful stories. We’ll be looking forward to seeing what’s coming next. Five stars from us. Well done Karl!
September 22, 2018
Four middle school students who couldn’t be more different find themselves stuck together and forced to learn how to survive in the wild in author Karl Steam’s Surviving Moose Lake, the first in the seven book Kids vs. Nature series. Here’s the synopsis:
Getting placed in a lousy group for a class assignment is bad enough, but it’s a thousand times worse when you get stranded in the wilderness with that group. Will Josh and three of his sixth-grade classmates have the skills they need to survive the wilderness? Will they all make it home alive?
Surviving Moose Lake is the first book of the Kids vs. Nature series. It provides an entertaining mixture of danger, adventure, factual information, and life lessons that are best learned in the great outdoors—far away from adults and school classrooms.
The book reminded me of a middle grade version of Jumanji, with an educational, learn survival skills element to it. Middle school kids will find themselves able to relate to these characters with ease. Each student brings a specific part of the school social hierarchy to life, and the book does a great job of breaking down the barriers that separate these students in an effort to survive together.
The mix of realistic and animated photos with the developing plot made the story flow smoothly, creating an engaging yet fast read that middle school children will enjoy. The author also did a great job of including educational facts about survival and the animals they encounter in the story at the end of the book, providing an interesting way to get reader’s attention and educate at the same time.
Overall the first book in this series began strong. It drew the reader in quickly, and by books end the promise of a growing series of stories makes this a truly marvelous series that parents will want to get their children. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copy of Surviving Moose Lake by Karl Steam today!
Getting placed in a lousy group for a class assignment is bad enough, but it’s a thousand times worse when you get stranded in the wilderness with that group. Will Josh and three of his sixth-grade classmates have the skills they need to survive the wilderness? Will they all make it home alive?
Surviving Moose Lake is the first book of the Kids vs. Nature series. It provides an entertaining mixture of danger, adventure, factual information, and life lessons that are best learned in the great outdoors—far away from adults and school classrooms.
The book reminded me of a middle grade version of Jumanji, with an educational, learn survival skills element to it. Middle school kids will find themselves able to relate to these characters with ease. Each student brings a specific part of the school social hierarchy to life, and the book does a great job of breaking down the barriers that separate these students in an effort to survive together.
The mix of realistic and animated photos with the developing plot made the story flow smoothly, creating an engaging yet fast read that middle school children will enjoy. The author also did a great job of including educational facts about survival and the animals they encounter in the story at the end of the book, providing an interesting way to get reader’s attention and educate at the same time.
Overall the first book in this series began strong. It drew the reader in quickly, and by books end the promise of a growing series of stories makes this a truly marvelous series that parents will want to get their children. If you haven’t yet be sure to pick up your copy of Surviving Moose Lake by Karl Steam today!
June 25, 2018
Thoughts: This book is fabulous. I loved, loved, loved this book. I loved how Karl Steam was able to craft a story with such polar opp0site characters, but make them work together and eventually like each other. For example, in the beginning Josh and his friends were picking on a classmate, however near the end of the book Josh and the classmate were great friends. I also loved how this book was hilarious. An example of this is when when the kids thought they had to shoot a moose and then later realized they only had to shoot a picture of a moose. A final thing I loved about Surviving Moose lake is the moment the kids are back in the classroom they go back to the way they were: not friends with one another. Overall, I loved, loved, loved this fabulous, funny, exciting book.
NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.
NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.
July 29, 2020
Very interesting
This book was very interesting, it too me there especially while I'm the canoe. I would recommend it to pre and middle schoolers. I'm definitely getting part 2 of this book.
This book was very interesting, it too me there especially while I'm the canoe. I would recommend it to pre and middle schoolers. I'm definitely getting part 2 of this book.
February 14, 2021
Sometimes, I just gotta check out a book to see of it's any good for one of my ten grandchildren. This series is rated for ages 7-11 year olds and grades 2-6. It is a really good adventure series that's a bit more modern, and they learn a few things about nature. At the back of the book, the author includes a few brief facts about what was discovered during the adventure. It has real photos with drawn, cartoon-like, characters inserted into the photos of the kid's adventures.
While in school, the kids secretly downloaded a nature app on their phone that was suppose to help them identify their leaf. But, when they clicked on the app, and clicked on the 'I agree' button, the app transported them to some unknown place in the woods by a lake. The app gave them one assignment...to shoot a moose. The kids learn there is more than one way to "shoot" a moose, and it's not always with a gun. When they fulfill their assignment given by the app, then they would be transported back to their classroom. They tried to delete the app from the phone, but it can't be removed.
While in school, the kids secretly downloaded a nature app on their phone that was suppose to help them identify their leaf. But, when they clicked on the app, and clicked on the 'I agree' button, the app transported them to some unknown place in the woods by a lake. The app gave them one assignment...to shoot a moose. The kids learn there is more than one way to "shoot" a moose, and it's not always with a gun. When they fulfill their assignment given by the app, then they would be transported back to their classroom. They tried to delete the app from the phone, but it can't be removed.
May 27, 2019
I liked it, was easy to read. You did learn some things about nature and what not. One thing that bugged me a little was the fact not one of the character was opposed to the idea of ‘shooting’ a moose (they figured it out, that it wasn’t shooting a moose but take a photo). I don’t know just didn’t feel right. If someone told me we had to ‘shoot’ a moose to go home, I would fight them on it. But that my own opinion
There were plenty of pictures to break/add to the story. Overall it was an interesting read.
(Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the Author. Does not affect my review)
There were plenty of pictures to break/add to the story. Overall it was an interesting read.
(Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the Author. Does not affect my review)
December 8, 2018
Fun little Adventure book...
I was almost expecting Dragons to aooear when the story took off, but I think it was just as interesting sticking to nature.
Nice short read, and I definitely recommend it for the suggested age group for the book.
I was almost expecting Dragons to aooear when the story took off, but I think it was just as interesting sticking to nature.
Nice short read, and I definitely recommend it for the suggested age group for the book.
October 10, 2019
I think is the best book I've read this year great book
Like I said it is a great book for kids to read so year of you read this you are lucky.
Like I said it is a great book for kids to read so year of you read this you are lucky.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews